





\ 



COPYR IGHT DEPQSm 














Father 














Copyright 1922 
C. H. Van Vliet Co. 

Chicago 

Printed in United States of America 


NOV 1 7 mi 



.i 



A686S99 


CHAPTER I 

EARLY VISITORS 

Hark to the tale of Father Bunny! 

If you think his story funny, 

Then I will introduce to you 

His little Bird friends fond and true. 

Old Father Bun woke early one morn- 
ing and said, 

“I am so happy in the spring, 

For soon we’ll hear the Robin sing.” 

Old Mother Bun looked out the window 
and said, 

“Home again, home again, 

Here comes Robin in the rain!” 

Sure enough, there was Father Robin 
in a tree, and soon he began to sing a 
joyful song, 

“Old friends I’m always glad to see; 

I belong to the Thrush Family.” 

Old Father Bun was so excited he ran 


3 


4 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


out to greet Father Robin, and he never 
even thought to put on his rain-coat and 
rubbers! 

Father Robin sang again, 

“I am happy and gay, this is the reason, 
For me it’s the migrating season; 

You know a Robin thinks it best 
To winter in the middle-west.” 

Old Father Bun cried, 

“Father Robin, why do you leave at all? 
Why do you only stay ’til fall?” 

Father Robin replied, 

“I’d gladly stay here if I could, 

But I have to search for food.” 

Sure enough, Father Robin had to go 
to find fresh berries, and seeds, and in- 
sects. He remarked that he would really 
not care to travel at all if he could find 
enough food in one place to do for all 
the year, but he added that he did take 
little trips always from his nest to his 
feeding-place. He added, “It would make 
an interesting story if I would tell you 
all about our travels but today I am so 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


5 


busy looking for a place to build a nest, 
I will only say now that we fly in flocks 
as we please, by day or night. 

Old Mother Bun came out just then 
with a plate of crumbs and begged Fa- 
ther Robin to build in the tree he was in. 

Father Robin said, “All right, I’ll see; 

I always liked a cherry tree.” 

Old Mother Bun promised him crumbs 
every day and she said she would give 
him some strings to use in nest-building 
too, so Father Robin decided to stay and 
began to build a nest that very day, 
singing, 

“I am so happy I sing and sing; 

I’m one of the first to return in spring.” 

He took pieces of grass and string and 
wove them loosely, then he played a joke 
on Old Mother Bun. 

He took mud from a freshly-watered 
plant in a pot she had set outside. He 
wanted the mud to line his nest. Back 
and forth he went from the nest to the 
flower pot, carrying mud in his bill. 
What a fine worker he was! 


6 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


Old Father Bun saw that for the time 
he was too busy to sing, and remarked, 

“You’re very busy, it is clear, 

But Robin dear, I’m glad you’re here.” 

Father Robin stopped a minute and 
cocked his head on one side, remarking, 
“I am not half as busy as I will be 
When I have to feed small birds three.” 

He said it would take half his time by 
and by looking and listening for worms 
to feed the young birds. He tugged away 
at an earth-worm that very minute and 
nearly fell over before he got his meal, 
he had to pull so hard. 

At this very minute a familiar voice 
was heard. 

It was not a song but a loud call, and 
Mother Blue Jay came scolding as usual. 

“I wanted to build my nest in that cherry 
tree; 

I’ve a right, I’ve been here all winter, 
you see.” 

Sure enough, Mother Bluejay had 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


7 



been here all winter but she was such a 
scold that Father Robin paid no atten- 


8 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


tion to her. She said again, between her 
shouts, 

“I, too, am happy in the spring, 

But I was never made to sing.” 

How beautiful Mother Blue Jay’s coat 
and top-knot were! It was a pity she 
had not a good disposition. She cried out, 

“Jay, Jay,” and then added, 

“I’m not amiable, you see; 

I’m one of the Crow Family.” 

This meant that she was really a bold 
robber. 

She took some crumbs that were meant 
for Father Robin and some nuts that 
were put out for the Shy Squirrel, then 
she scolded as though she had been ill- 
treated, and added, “I often eat eggs be- 
longing to other birds, and sometimes 
young birds, for it is my nature,” She 
added, 

“If you build in this cherry tree, 

You may have me for company.” 

The Bunnies thought it very selfish of 



on 


He Stopped a Minute and Cocked his Head 

One Side 




FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


9 


Mother Blue Jay to talk that way, for 
there were many trees waiting for the 
nests. 

Scolding as usual, Mother Blue Jay 
went away and cried out, 

“Don’t ask me to sing, that is absurd, 

I am only a Perching Bird; 

Singers, though, are on the wing, 

You’ll always hear them in the spring; 
Many birds I, too, have found, 

Who eat their food right from the 
ground; 

More wonderful, though, I declare, 

Are birds who feed while in the air.” 

Father Robin was glad when the scold- 
ing Blue Jay went away. 

There was a deep wood back of Old 
Father Bun’s home and suddenly the 
most beautiful song was heard! 

Old Mother Bun cried, 

“Do be quiet, hush, oh hush! 

Hear the song of the Wood-Thrush!” 

Their new visitor was so shy he did not 


10 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 



come into view, but Father Robin said, 
“I can tell you about him, for he is my 
cousin, though much smaller than I am. 

He travels east, he travels west, 

He has about fifty spots on his breast; 
I’ve seen him often, and it’s said 
That cinnamon-color is his head.” 

The song of the Wood-Thrush grew 
sweeter and sweeter until all the air was 
stirred with melody. 

Very soon a familiar voice cried, 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


11 



“Chick-a-dee-dee,” and a tiny bird ap- 
peared, singing, 

“I’m Chickadee, I must build a house; 
I’m sometimes called Black-Capped Tit- 
mouse.” 

Old Mother Bun smiled and remarked, 
“This question answer Old Mother Bun, 
Did you say ‘house’ just for fun?” 


12 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


The Chickadee was all smiles and sun- 
shine. He was much amused and said, 

“I am so very glad I came; 

I really meant a ‘nest’ to name.” 

He was a cute little fellow in his black 
cap, white waistcoat, and bluish coat. 
He said, 

“In North America you see 
Six types of birds call “Dee-dee.” 

He continued, “I am tiny but a useful 
bird. I eat up worms that destroy apples; 
I sometimes eat thirty canker worms for 
a good square meal!” He said, “I am not 
afraid of a little cold and stay in some 
localities all winter. 

Across the snow-fields you’ll hear and 
see 

Chick-a-dee-dee, chick-a-dee-dee ; 

I am not going to tell the reason 
I come at nearly every season; 

But I’ll still have some hours for play, 
For I don’t build ’til the month of May; 
With short bill and long tail I don’t 
creep, 

But very cheerful I always keep.” 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


13 


All this time Father Robin was build- 
ing his nest and thinking how happy he 
would be when his mate joined him. 

Many of Father Bun’s neighbors came 
to watch his birds and they saw some 
birds flying so high overhead they could 
not tell what they were. 

The Bunnies formed a circle round Old 
Father Bun and watched the Birds fly- 
ing overhead. 

The Chickadee kept on talking and 
said, “A great poet once wrote about me; 
his name was ‘Emerson.’ He said, 

‘When piped a tiny voice hard by, 

Gay and polite, a cheerful cry, 
Chic-chic-a-dee, dee, saucy note, 

Out of a sound and merry throat, 

As if it said, “Good day, good Sir!” 

Fine afternoon, old passenger’.” 

By and by Old Father Bun turned to 
Father Robin after the other Birds had 
flown away and asked, “Didn’t you get 
very tired coming from the South? Please 
tell me more about your travels.” 


14 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


Father Robin replied, “I did not get 
very tired because we take short trips 
first to prepare for our longer journey. 
We fly fast and very high by a regular 
route and sometimes our little flock rests 
for a day or two, and, of course, we stop 
to eat.” 

He continued, 

“Sun and shower altogether, 

We will soon have rainbow weather; 
Some one is coming o’er the hill, 
Beside the Lady Daffodil.” 

A voice called, “Who? Who? Who?” 

Father Robin sang again, 

“Don’t you hear Woodpecker drum- 
ming? 

Don’t you know that Spring is coming?” 

Old Father Bun said, 

“Who was it called ‘Who? Who?’ 

I really do not know, do you?” 

Old Mother Bun replied, 

“To know that voice we really should; 
We have lived years in the wild wood.” 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 15 

Old Father Bun said with a chuckle, 

“We are happy in this home of ours; 
Soon you will be planting flowers.” 

Old Father Bun always teased her be- 
cause of her fondness for flowers, and 
so she quite ignored his question and 
said, 

“Your field glass I will have to borrow; 
We will have more visitors tomorrow.” 


All night long a mysterious voice called, 
“Who? Who? Who?” 


CHAPTER II 


ATTRACTING THE BIRDS 


Father Bun said, “I will do it, 

Nail on the tree a little suet; 

Mother Bun, please watch and see 
Who our visitors will be.” 

Father Bun knew the birds loved suet 
so he tied some on the branch of a tree 
and nailed some on the tree trunk. 

Old Mother Bun watched him and 
said, 

“You’re doing the right thing, I’ve heard, 
To attract some wandering bird.” 

It was a chilly day, and soon a bird 
discovered the suet. He was coming down 
the tree-trunk, head downward, and said 
merrily, 

“Do you like my white breast and gray 
gown? 

I am Nuthatch, Young Up-Side-Down.” 


16 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


17 



Old Father Bun remarked, 

“Little Black Head, what do you say? 
Why do you travel down trees that 
way?” 





18 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


Old Mother Bun cried excitedly, 

“You’re a better climber, I’ve heard said, 
Than Woodpecker in his cap of red.” 

The Nuthatch was so busy searching 
for a borer in a tree trunk, that he did 
not answer for a minute, then he said, 
“It is really true that I can climb better 
than the Red-headed Woodpecker be- 
cause I do not need to cling to the trunk 
of the tree by my tail. My bill, however, 
is much like his. See how useful I am to 
the Friendly Tree. I eat the insects that 
would otherwise destroy it.” He added, 

“I am as busy as busy can be; 

I know every inch of the Friendly Tree.” 

The Nuthatch was in a pine tree and 
was thinking of building a nest there, 
but he also said as he was naturally a 
little shy he did not often tell where he 
intended to build his nest. 

Old Mother Bun offered him a chestnut 
which he held in a crack in the bark of 
the Friendly Tree, and he soon split it 
open with his sharp bill. 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


19 


He said he would be glad when it was 
warmer and all the birds would come 
back and then he began to talk about 
nest building again, for that was the 
popular subject in spring. He said, 

“The Nuthatch cares little for stormy- 
weather, 

For his nest is mainly made of feathers.” 

Old Mother Bun heard at this minute 
a distinct “me-ow” and fearing the Ter- 
rible Tabby, cried, 

“The Terrible Tabby may discover 
A Bunny who is not under cover.” 

The Nuthatch looked very funny as 
he listened, holding his head up, for he 
was still upside down on the tree trunk. 

By and by, after the Bunnies had gone 
into the house they peeped out of the 
window and Old Mother Bun cried, 

“Our fears, as usual, were quite absurd, 
It is only our old friend, the Catbird!” 

The Catbird then came out and showed 
himself, for he had decided to build a 


20 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 



nest in some shrubs back of the house. 
He was a comical fellow and remarked, 
between his cat-calls, 

“Me-ow, me-ow, what do I say? 

I wear a dress of slaty-gray; 

Look at me, you will not fail 
To see my black cap and tail; 

Look under my tail coverts, it is said 
You will see a spot, brick-red.” 

He began again to imitate a cat; 
then just for fun he began to imitate a 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


21 


Robin, and ended up with a song all his 
own, which was very sweet, indeed, end- 
ing up with trills. He added, 

“Some of my songs are quite absurd, 
But I am called a musical Bird.” 

Moving his tail wildly up and down, 
he flew down to the ground and took a 
dust bath. He began to tell then about 
his cousin, the Mocking-bird, but Old 
Mother Bun interrupted him and said, 

“Answer me a question, do; 

Are your eggs greenish-blue?” 

The Catbird nodded in reply, but sang, 

“Me-ow, me-ow, I’m off and away; 

I will not nest ’til some time in May.” 

He might have added that when he did 
build a nest it would be made largely of 
paper and rags. 

He flew away, and he had been so busy 
talking that he never noticed the suet at 
all. 

Just then there was a commotion in 


22 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


the Bird World, for the Shy Squirrel was 
worrying the Blue Jay and pretending 
he would rob his nest. All the Birds came 
to help and flew about scolding until the 
Shy Squirrel thought it best to go away. 

The Shy Squirrel was a terrible tease, 
but really meant no harm at all. He 
said, 

“Rather mischievous things I do, 

But wait till you hear from Brother 
Who.” 

He meant that the Owl would come 
some day as an enemy, I am sure, but the 
little birds knew pretty well how to pro- 
tect themselves, of course. 

When evening came, Old Father and 
Mother Bun were seated round the fire- 
place and were just thinking of starting 
a fire in the grate when there was a 
great chirping and twittering, and down 
fell two helpless little black creatures 
hardly able to fly. 

“By my stubby tail,” remarked Old 
Father Bun. “They are Chimney-Swifts.” 

He continued, “I feel in my bones, if 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


23 



we sit very still they may tell us a story.” 


Old Mother Bun scolded a little about 
their bringing 1 down soot, but she wanted 
to know what they had been doing in 
her chimney and what they had to say. 

So, to the relief of all, Old Mother 
Chimney-Swift came flying down the 
chimney after her lost children. She 
said pleasantly, 

“For years and years we’ve thought it 
best 


24 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


In a chimney to build our nest.” 

Old Father Bun coughed politely but 
Old Mother Bun had so much curiosity 
she asked, 

“With wings one can travel east or west, 
Of what do you really build your nest?” 

The Chimney-Swift replied, 

“Ha, ha, ha, now since you ask it, 

Of twigs I make a bracket-basket.” 

She told them she did not always build 
in chimneys but sometimes in hollow 
trees or caves. She added that she liked 
to gather twigs while on the wing, and 
that she glued them together with saliva. 
Her talk was most interesting. She said, 

“I wonder if you understand 
I am the most aerial Bird on land.” 

Neither Father nor Mother Bun knew 
just what the Chimney-Swift meant by 
“aerial,” so she explained it meant “be- 
longing to the air; and,” she continued, 
“how I enjoy flying through the air and 
what wonderful wings I have, but I have 
very weak feet so I have to cling to the 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


25 


chimney using my tail as a support or 
prop.” 

Next day Old Mother Bun called to 
Old Father Bun to come and see a little 
bird eating suet. 

Old Father Bun said, “He is talking.” 
The Bird said, 

“I'm going away, going in May, 

I’ve stayed all winter, I’ll soon away; 
I’ve come to say ‘good bye,’ it’s clear 
I stay with you eight months of the 
year.” 

Old Father and Mother Bun went out 
to talk to the little Snowbirds, for they 
were very old friends, indeed. 

Junco, the Snowbird, was a great joker 
and he said, 

“How many kinds of feathers do you 
suppose 

We wear instead of fur or clothes?” 

The Bunnies could not guess so he con- 
tinued, 


26 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


“I will talk, I’ve no time to sing; 

We have flight feathers on tail and 
wing, 

And every bird really thinks it best 
To wear clothing feathers on body and 
breast; 

Our downey feathers, as you suppose, 
Really look like fine underclothes; 
Then any one who really cares 
Can see our thread feathers like hairs, 
Some birds have plumes and, altogether, 
Birds have at least four kinds of 
feathers; 

To keep our feathers fine we try; 

Our plumage we like to wash and dry. 
A bird will very seldom fail 
To have twelve feathers in his tail.” 

The Junco flew about showing his 
outer white tail feathers, his white vest, 
and gray suit. He said, 

“Every Junco now that passes 
Eats seeds of weeds and grasses; 

We are watchful for each sound, 

But like to eat upon the ground.” 

Just as he was going to tell a story, 
Old Father Bun said, 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


27 


“Hush, be still, I hear a sound; 

Some one is surely coming round.” 

Old Mother Bun said, 

“Back into the house let’s go; 

An enemy is around, I know.” 

A sleepy voice cried, “Who? Who? 
Who?” 

Old Father and Mother Bun went in- 
side and Junco flew away just in time, 
for the Terrible Tabby crept out from 
the hiding place in the currant bushes, 
and even the Sparrows who were always 
around flew away. 

Old Mother Bun said, 

“Why do you suppose some birds creep 
Close to the tree trunk when they 
sleep?” 

Old Father Bun said, 

“Why is it now, do you really suppose, 
They sleep on their feet, and stand on 
their toes?” 

The Terrible Tabby might have been 
able to answer some of these questions, 
but he only crept back under the currant 
bush and fell fast asleep. 


CHAPTER III 


THE BIRD’S PARTY 


Said Old Mother Bun so hale and hearty, 

“Let us give the Sparrows now a party.” 
She took some crumbs from the pantry 
shelf 

And scattered them about herself. 

The Song-Sparrow was the first to 
come to the party and he sang a merry 
song, 

“Spring has come, if you will look 
You’ll find my nest near a meadow 
brook; 

And when at last my nest is found, 
You’ll find it built on the ground.” 

He flew to the currant bushes waving 
his tail up and down, for Old Mother Bun 
startled him by saying, 

“I hoped that you would think it best 
In my currant bush to build your nest.” 


28 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


29 



The Song-Sparrow admitted that he 
did sometimes build his nest in bushes, 
and he said he raised three broods every 
year. 

He continued, 

“Do you admire my spotted breast? 

I must go, it is time to build my nest." 

He was a cunning Bird with one large 
spot in the centre of his breast. 


30 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 



While he was talking, his cousin, the 
Swamp-Sparrow appeared and began to 
enjoy the crumbs, saying over and over, 

“I migrate and like to roam, 

But the lowland is my home.” 

Before he could say another word, a 
little Field-Sparrow came singing, 

“I’ll sing and sing; this is the reason, 
August ends my singing season.” 

Old Father Bun came out and re- 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


31 


marked that the Field-Sparrow was dif- 
ferent from all the other Sparrows. His 
white breast, they saw, had no streaks 
upon it, and he had white rings about 
his eyes, and a brownish bill. 

A voice now called joyfully, 

“I’ll tell you this, if you go hunting, 

You may discover the Bay-Winged 
Bunting.” 

It was the Vesper-Sparrow, and he said 
he was also called a third name, the 
“Grass-Finch.” He added, 

“Far and wide I like to roam, 

But the great field is my home; 

To recognize me you’ll not fail, 

If you see white feathers on my tail.” 

He perched on the fence and sang half 
an hour. He sang a low note and two 
high notes to introduce his song. 

A whole colony of English Sparrows 
arrived. 

They chattered noisily, 

“We manage always to have fun; 

We came to this country in ’51.” 


32 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


They were introduced into this country 
in 1851 and they were brave little fellows, 
never complaining of rain or snow. 

The Chipping-Sparrow next arrived 
and said, 

“From the cotton fields in the south I 
come; 

I will soon be glad to wing back home.” 

He said the “homing instinct” is strong 
in nearly all birds. Suddenly he gave a 
cry of warning and all the birds flew 
away, for the Terrible Tabby was creep- 
ing round the currant bush. 

Old Father and Mother Bun went in- 
side and closed their door, saying, 

“The Terrible Tabby has such bright 
eyes, 

We wish we could take him by surprise.” 

Old Father Bun said, 

“To Teddy Thinker I’ll send a bell, 

And our misfortunes I will tell; 

Terrible Tabby tomorrow morning 
Shall wear a bell to give us warning.” 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


33 


Teddy Thinker was the boy who 
lived next door, and at that very minute 
he came and caught the Terrible Tabby, 
and Father Bun talked to him freely 
about the bell, and he agreed to do this 
at the earliest possible moment. 

All the Birds came back and the Chip- 
ping-Sparrow with them. He said, 

“See my chestnut cap and forehead black, 

For variety I do not lack; 

I’ll change these to match my coat, you’ll 
see, 

When the nesting season is over for 
me.” 

Five little Owls flew about in a locust 
tree and scared the other birds so much 
they all made a great noise, and there 
was a great flapping of wings for they 
feared the big Mother Owl might come 
to devour some of them. 

When there is any danger, birds try 
to protect each other. 

Tommy Thinker saw the birds’ dis- 
tress and assured them that the tiny 
Owls were just trying their wings and 
that the old birds were not around. 


34 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


A flock of White-Throated Sparrows 
came next, calling “chink, chink, chink.” 

The White-Crowned Sparrow joined 
them and said, 

“Do you like my looks? Do you like my 
gown? 

Do you like my song? Do you like my 
crown?” 

He said, “All our family have short, 
round wings, but we only fly short dis- 
tances.” He said by fall his pretty white 
crown would turn brown. He said he 
liked to change the color of the feathers 
on his head with the season. 

Just then a loud, sweet song was heard 
and 

The Fox-Sparrow cried, “Hush, oh hush, 
I resemble the Hermit-Thrush.” 

He was larger than the other Sparrows 
and had such a spotted breast that he 
was sometimes actually mistaken for the 
Hermit-Thrush. 

Old Father Bun said, 

“Mother Bun, tell me, what do you say? 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


35 


Will we have other visitors today?” 

Old Mother Bun replied, 

“Up and down the leafy hollow, 

Who is so aerial as the Swallow?” 

On came the Swallow winging his way 
toward them, singing, 

“I am well fitted to live in the air 
With my blade-like wings, I do declare; 
My feet are small when they come in 
sight; 

For all that, I’m noted for my flight; 
We eat insects and benefit man, 

And so do all the good we can; 

I hope this company will not fail 
To note my deeply-forked long tail.” 

The Barn-Swallow, for it was he, con- 
tinued by saying that there were eighty 
species of Swallows, but he only men- 
tioned a few of his family and spoke of 
some of their nests. 

He said, 

“We are sociable altogether; 

My mud nest I line with feathers. 

My nest when finished, on the whole, 


36 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


Resembles a very tiny bowl. 

But the Cliff -Swallow, I’ve heard say, 
Really makes his nest of clay; 

The Bank-Swallow’s burrows, I suspect, 
Earn him the name of architect.” 

He did not tell about the nest the Tree- 
Swallow, or Purple Martin, made, but 
soon sailed away through the air, wing- 
ing so swiftly he was very soon out of 
sight. 

Just then the Terrible Tabby came in 
sight, but he had a bell on his collar that 
went “tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,” so he gave 
fair warning, and the Birds flew away 
and the Surprise party was over. 

That evening Old Father Bun said, 

“It seems to me I hear a ‘Coo’; 

Old Mother Bun, tell me, do you?” 

Old Mother Bun went to the window 
and a most mournful cry was heard. 
There she found the Mourning-Dove on 
the window-sill. They opened the window 
and in he came, showing his wounded 
wing. 

A thoughtless child had shot at this 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


37 



beautiful creature while he was resting 
in a tree. 


Old Mother Bun knew how to put some- 
thing soothing on the poor wing and the 
Mourning-Dove became quite friendly 
and said he was often criticised for 
building his nest so carelessly. He said, 

“Just a few twigs I cross, you see, 

In the crotch in a pine tree.” 


38 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


The Bunnies were interested, so he con- 
tinued, 

“The boy did not realize a thing 
Of what it meant to hurt my wings; 
They are my defense, you know, 

And flying on my way I go; 

For hours you hear me coo in spring, 
And I can strike out with my wing; 
As I start to fly there’s something sings, 
For I make music with my wings.” 

Old Father Bun went and got a pan 
of water for the Mourning-Dove to have 
a drink, and they were interested to see 
him drink without raising his head. To- 
morrow Old Father Bun planned to fill 
a shallow pan with water and set it out- 
side for all the Birds to have a drink or 
bath. 

The Mourning-Dove became quite 
talkative and said, 

“I’m very glad old friends to meet; 
Though insects I never eat, 

I am a help in destroying weeds, 
Because I eat so many seeds; 

I look different at times — this is the 
reason — 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


39 


I moult and get a new dress each sea- 
son.” 

Old Mother Bun said, 

“Mourning-Dove, please stay with me, 
And build your nest in our old pine 
tree.” 


She discovered that the Dove was 
really a very cheerful bird in spite of 
his mournful voice. 

The Mourning-Dove said he was al- 
ways nested in a tree in their neighbor- 
hood, but as the tree had been cut down, 
he would gladly accept their offer, and 
nest in their pine tree, but he said while 
his wing hurt so much he would stay 
inside and get well. 

Old Father Bun lined a soft basket for 
him and said, 

“There is a saying that never ends, 

‘To feed strange pigeons brings true 
friends’.” 

Old Father Bun begged the Mourning- 
Dove to tell him something about the 
colors of Birds in general, as he was 


40 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


interested in everything he could learn 
about a Bird. 

The Mourning-Dove recited some lines 
he had learned long ago, 

“Birds are protected, don’t you see! 
Colored often much like a tree; 

In Bird’s feathers are pigments found, 
The light strikes them as they fly 
around; 

The coloring depends much on age, 
And if you read farther down the page, 
Perhaps you can even find the reason 
Some Birds wear down in the nesting 
season; 

We have to molt, that’s the reason 
Some Birds change color with the season. 
We may retain feathers on wing and 
tail, 

But shed body-feathers without fail; 
To tell you this perhaps I should, 

Our color depends somewhat on food; 
The Purple Finch becomes yellow, you 
see, 

When he is put in captivity. 

Our color depends on climate, too, 
We’re darker in damp regions, ’tis true, 
And palest where the country is dry, 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


41 


I truly cannot tell you why; 

Deceptive colors in some way 
Help us to approach our prey; 

Here is a secret I’ve told no other, 
WE HAVE COLORS TO RECOGNIZE 
EACH OTHER.” 

“Who? who? who?” called a loud voice 
and then all was still. 

The Mourning-Dove said, “One reason 
I mourn is because children all over the 
world have not learned to know and love 
me.” 

Late that evening, Old Father Bun 
said, “I am going to write a letter to 
Sling-Shot Sam and ask him to visit 
us. I know he will grow so fond of the 
Mourning-Dove that he will never want 
to shoot a Bird again as long as he lives.” 

The Mourning-Dove replied, 

“Hark, hark, hark! to a voice you love; 
‘Coo, coo, coo,’ sings the Mourning- 
Dove.” 


CHAPTER IV 


SLING-SHOT SAM 

Sling-Shot Sam had a vacation, 

So he accepted the invitation; 

He made a friend of the Mourning-Dove, 
And other Birds he learned to love. 

Old Mother Bun said next day, 

"Sling-Shot Sam is coming, ’tis true; 

If he brings a sling-shot what will we 
do?” 

Old Father Bun replied, 

“I can take him to the Park 
And let him shoot at a mark.” 

They did not need to worry, for Sling- 
Shot Sam came, but he left his sling-shot 
at home. He said, 

“How do you do? Father and Mother Bun; 
Please let me join you in your fun.” 

Old Father Bun was working away 
making a bath for the birds. He made a 


42 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


43 



shallow bowl of cement and Sam helped 
him fasten it to the stump of a tree. 

Old Father Bun said, 

“Who will visit the bird-bath first today? 
Let each of us guess, now, in our own 
way.” 

He guessed that Father Robin would 



44 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


be first, and Old Mother Bun guessed 
that the Nuthatch would be the first, 
and Sam guessed the Catbird would be 
the first to come. 

As it happened, none of them were 
right. 

Mother Blue Jay began to scold and 
the Shy Squirrel began to chatter, and 
as he was thirsty, down he came for a 
drink of water, frisking his beautiful tail. 

So the Shy Squirrel was the first visi- 
tor. 

Just then a voice called, 

“How do you do? How do you do? 

I am the Mourning-Dove, coo, coo.” 

Sam discovered the Mourning Dove 
for the first time and admired his beauti- 
ful plumage. 

When Sam found out the reason the 
beautiful creature could not fly, he 
rubbed his coat sleeve across his face and 
said, “I never thought before that Birds 
have feelings like we have. I would give 
every cent saved in my penny bank if I 
could make that wing whole again!” 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


45 


He asked Old Father Bun if he might 
build a house for the Dove by and by, 
and he worked busily at it all day. 

That evening he made a Bird Poster 
and drew and colored a picture of the 
Mourning-Dove. Upon it he wrote, 

“Since the voice of the Mourning-Dove 
I’ve heard, 

I’ll always try to protect a Bird.” 

Next morning Old Mother Bun cried 
excitedly, 

“Wake up, hurry, come and see 
The Waxwing in our Rowan tree.’ 

They all peeped out and saw a whole 
flock of perching birds with top knots, 
and a bit of red on their gray wings. 

The birds were whispering together 
and chirping merrily. 

Sam ran out and counted thirty in the 
flock. 

He watched one bird take a berry 
from the tree and pass it to the next, and 
he in turn passed it to another, and so on. 


46 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 



Old Father Bun said, as one little bird 
stroked the feathers of the one next him, 


“The ‘Polite Bird/ the ‘Polite Bird’ 

Is the name by which you’re called, I’ve 
heard.” 

Sam said, “They sit so close to each 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


47 


other they must be good friends. I do 
wonder how they got the name of Wax- 
wing.” 

Old Father Bun was a great reader 
and he knew many things, so he said, 

“On his inner wing-feathers there are 
points of red that look like red sealing 
wax. He is sometimes called the ‘Polite 
Bird’ and sometimes called the ‘Cedar 
Bird.’ He is called ‘Polite’ because of 
his habits, and the ‘Cedar Bird’ because 
he is fond of the Cedar berries. He eats 
berries of the evergreen and juniper 
tree as well as berries of the Rowan Tree. 
He also likes insects and cutworms, and 
he has a great appetite.” 

Just then the whole flock pointed their 
bills straight up and flew away. 

Old Mother Bun said, 

“Will they nest in the same place each 
year? 

The homing instinct is strong, I hear.” 

Old Father Bun laughed loud and long. 
He said, “These Birds are like gypsies 
and they roam about from one place to 


48 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


another, and they often do not return to 
their old homes like other Birds do.” 

Sam became so interested in the Cedar 
Waxwings he watched when a few of 
them came back, and he took a picture of 
them. 

He said, “I am going to make a Bird 
Chart and photograph every Bird I see.” 
He soon mounted a picture of the Cedar 
Waxwing and wrote under it, 

“No homing instinct. Named from ap- 
pearance of wax-like spot on wing. No 
song, only a twitter, feeds on berries, in- 
sects and cutworms.” 

Next day, the very first visitor to the 
Bird-bath was Father Robin. My! how 
he enjoyed his bath! 

Father Robin sang, 

“I have a nest now, with blue eggs three, 
Right up in the cherry tree!” 

Old Mother Bun responded, 

“Ha, ha, ha, I have always heard 
You are a very friendly Bird.” 

Sam climbed up in the tree and took 
a look at the eggs in the nest. He wanted 






A Bird Came Into Sight Calling “Bob White, 
Bob White” 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


49 


awfully to take one for his collection, but 
decided he would rather not after all, 
for he had become, in this short time, a 
great Bird lover. 

A heavy bird with small wings soon 
came into view, calling, “Bob- White, Bob- 
White.” 

He said, 

“My strong wings help me search for 
food; 

I would not fly far if I could.” 

He said, “How interesting secrets are, 
Short wings are not made to fly far.” 
He said, “Hurrah! I’m glad I’m here; 

I build two nests every year; 

Fourteen eggs sometimes are found 
In my nest upon the ground; 

Another Bobwhite may think best 
To leave an egg right in my nest. 

I whistle and sing, whistle and sing, 
‘Bob-White, Bob-White, I greet the 
spring’.” 

Sam said, “I never dreamed before that 
Birds could be so interesting. No wonder 
Hiawatha called them his “chickens!” 

Bobwhite said, “Who said chickens? 


50 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


Our family resembles them; our little ones 
pick up their food, and all sleep close to- 
gether in a circle with heads outside, so 
as not to be caught by the Terrible Tabby 
or any other enemy.” 

He continued, 

“I am the farmer’s friend, indeed! 

I eat seeds of many weeds; 

I eat insects and beetles, too, 

So the potato I save for you; 

‘Bob- White, Bob-White!’ I have to run 
From the hunter with his gun; 

‘Bob- White, Bob-White!’ do you like that 
song? 

I am a Bird ten inches long.” 

Sam noticed the white on the Bird’s 
throat and the white line over his eyes. 
He said, “I will draw a picture of the 
Bob-white family asleep in a circle.” 

Said Old Father Bun, 

“Hear that drumming, drumming! 
These are signs that spring is coming.” 

The Downy Woodpecker, of which 
there are twenty-five species in the Uni- 
ted States, came in sight. 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


51 



He said, “I drum. Do you hear me call? 
There are over three hundred wood- 
peckers in all, 

I am the commonest Woodpecker you 
see; 

Will you not make friends with me?” 

How could any one help but make 
friends with this little fellow? He was 
so friendly. He rapped sharply on the 


52 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


tree to call his mate, and Old Mother 
Bun said, 

“I heard you rap on the roof this morn- 
ing; 

You are welcome here, I give fair warn- 
ing.” 

He said, 

“In the hollow tree I sleep all night; 

My eggs, I’ll tell you, are all pure white. 
I am the smallest Woodpecker, they say, 
That ever lived in the U. S. A.” 

He did not tell much more about him- 
self, but remarked, 

“In the woods we think it best 
To retire to build our nest; 

We love some hole in a hollow tree, 
’Twill make a cozy nest you see. 

I’ll show you now, if you will hush, 
How I use my bill like a comb and 
brush.” 

So saying, he took a drop of oil from 
a gland at the root of his tail and then 
used his bill to dress, his feathers. He 
said, “The bill of a bird is a great weapon 
of defense, and it is useful to him also in 
nest building. 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


53 


To tell you many things I should; 

We use the bill to get our food. 

With my wonderful bill, you see, 

I take insects from the tree.” 

Sam said, 

“I will watch you, if you don’t mind, 

Two toes in front, two toes behind; 
Your barbed tongue is useful, as I see, 
To extract insects from the tree; 

I hear you call your mate, ’tis true, 
With your cheerful rat-tat-tat-too; 

By shape and color I will know 
Little Downy wherever I go.” 

The Downy Woodpecker said, 

“I will tell you, if you don’t mind, 

Why I’ve two toes in front, and two be- 
hind; 

They help me to cling upon the tree, 
So they are useful, quite, to me.” 

The Downy Woodpecker took a peck at 
the suet on the tree trunk, then he dived 
into a hole in the tree. If he had stayed 
a minute longer he would have said, 

“Here comes Hairy Woodpecker, my 
cousin, 


54 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


And other relations, half a dozen.” 

The Hairy Woodpecker who arrived 
did look much like him in color, but Sam 
observed that his tail feathers were white 
without any black bars upon them. 

The Hairy Woodpecker said, 

“Though my bill is not any stronger, 

In size I am most three inches longer.” 

The Red-Headed Woodpecker came for 
a peck at the suet, and Sam thought him 
the most beautiful Bird he had ever seen. 

While he was admiring him, the 
Flicker came in view saying, 

“I eat the ants from a stump or tree; 

On the ground my graceful form you 
see. 

Just watch my feathers when I fly; 

I’ll call my mate, too, by and by.” 

He went off, only pausing to give an- 
other sharp rap-a-tap on the roof of the 
Bunnies’ house. 

Old Mother Bun said, 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


55 


“I know now that spring is near, 

For Yellow-ammer is nesting here.” 

Old Father Bun said, 

“I always call him ‘High-Hole’, you see; 
He is a very intimate friend to me.” 

Sam went in with the Bunnies and fed 
the Mourning-Dove, stroking his wings 
very tenderly. 

He said, “I will begin to write up my 
own Bird Book tonight and in it I will 
draw and color every kind of Woodpecker 
I can find, and, Father Bun, let us build 
Bird-Houses tomorrow.” 

After Sam had gone to bed Old Father 
Bun said, 

“If their haunts and habits we under- 
stand, 

We will always love our feathered 
band,” to which Old Mother Bun res- 
ponded, 

“If we love the Birds, it will save them 
sorrow; 

We all will build Bird-Houses tomor- 
row.” 


CHAPTER V. 

NESTS AND HOUSES 

We all are happy for the reason 
Now comes the Birds’ nesting season; 
Many a Bird-House you will see 
Upon a post or in a tree. 

“Rap-a-tap, tap,” went old Father 
Bun’s hammer. 

“Buzz, buzz, buzz,” went Sam’s saw. 

They were busy making Bird-Houses, 
one for the Wren, and one for the Blue- 
bird. 

Sam was making the Wren-House two 
stories high, and Old Father Bun was 
making the house for the Bluebird one 
story high, with a porch in front. 

Old Mother Bun was busy planting 
honeysuckle vines and trumpet flower 
seeds to attract the Humming Bird by 
and by. 

Old Father Bun said, 


56 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


57 



“Some Birds like houses, but some think 
it best 

Every year to build a brand new nest. 
One Bird in his hammock-nest swings, 
The Baltimore Oriole sings and sings.” 

They saw the hammock-nest of the 
Oriole in the tree above them, and Old 


58 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


Father Bun said that the Birds came 
back to their old nest there, year after 
year. 

He continued, as he worked away on 
his Bird-House, “All the Birds m spring 
are seeking a safe place to build a nest 
where they will be protected from their 
enemies. 

Some of them like to nest alone, and 
some of them like to nest in colonies, as 
the Swallows. 

The kind of feet and bill a bird has. 
has much to do with the kind of nest he 
will build. The feeding habit has some- 
thing to do with the place a Bird will 
choose to build his nest. The Downy 
Woodpecker and his family naturally like 
to nest where they can get insects from 
a tree. 

Some Birds, like English Sparrows, nest 
most anywhere.” 

Sam enjoyed every word that Old Fa- 
ther Bun said. 

By and by the Bird Houses were fin- 
ished. The one for the Wren they nailed 





60 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


securely on a high post, and the one for 
the Bluebird they nailed securely to the 
crotch of a tree. 

Both Bird-Houses had openings so 
small that the larger Birds could not go 
in. 

A very merry little Wren 
Came hopping, bobbing, bouncing then; 
He said, “I can’t keep still a minute; 
Here is my house, I will go in it.” 

No sooner said than done. The little 
Wren with the perky tail went bobbing in 
and out of the new House, singing, every 
minute full of joy and excitement, to 
think that he had found a home all ready. 
He remarked, 

“I’ll build a nest, but can’t tell when, 

I am such a merry little Wren.” 

Then he sang again merrily, 

“This Bird-House was made by a scholar; 
The opening is the size of a quarter- 
dollar” 

He was glad that the opening was just 
right for him. 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


61 


Sam was pleased to think he had made 
the House just right, you may be sure. 

The merry little Wren brought twigs 
and grasses to build a nest and his mate 
came to see the new house, too. 

They sang, “We’re the merriest birds in 
town; 

We’ll soon have some eggs of pinkish- 
brown. 

To know us you will never fail, 

When you see our up-turned tails.” 

The Wrens’ tails were amusing to 
watch. They were carried very straight 
up, indeed. 

Sam said he would never forget the 
Wrens’ persistent whistle. 

By this time the Mourning-Dove was 
ready to build a nest in the tree outside, 
and Old Mother Bun was as happy as 
could be about it. 

Next day Old Father Bun found a little 
Bird flying round the Bird-House that 
he had made, and he said, 

“A sweeter song I never heard; 

It is our friend, the dear Bluebird.” 


62 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


The Bluebird sang to greet them a cute 
little song, 

“The common Bluebird is my name; 
Indeed, I’m very glad I came: 

This little house up in a tree 
Is just the very size for me; 

To the Rockies if you go, 

The Mountain Bluebird you will know. 
In Arizona you will see 
The Azure Bluebird, much like me; 
Travel to the Pacific states, 

There the Western Bluebird mates; 
The San Pedro Bluebird is seen 
In California ’mid the green. 

A very timid fellow am I, 

To fight me please do not try! 

A bird-box or a hollow tree 
Are very much the same to me.” 

He chose the Bird-House, however! 

Old Mother Bun said, “I will write a 
note to the Sparrows and tell them to 
leave you alone, you dear little bit of blue 
sky!” 

Old Father Bun noticed that the Ro- 
bin and Bluebird came at about the same 
time to visit them, and he said, 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


63 


“All the woodlands now are ringing 
With Bluebird and Robin singing; 
Again we hear the Bluebird sing, 
‘Welcome, welcome to the spring’.” 

Sam said, “If I stay with you a while, 
I wonder if I will see the Humming-Bird. 
Will he soon be here?” 

At that very minute a humming sound 
was heard and a Ruby-throated Hum- 
ming-Bird came to a balsam that Old 
Mother Bun had set outside in a flower 
pot. The Bird showed great pleasure in 
finding a blooming flower like this in 
May, and went from flower to flower. 
He said, 

“You have set me a fairy bower; 

My bill is shaped, so I love this flower.” 

The Humming-Bird extracted honey 
from the flower. Sometimes he extracted 
nectar and sometimes insects. 

Sam asked him what else he liked to 
eat and he replied, “I like gnats and 
spiders and flies very well.” 

He said that some Humming-Birds 


64 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 



who lived in tropical countries could sing, 
but, as for himself, he could only make a 
whirring sound with his wings. My! he 
was a dainty little fellow, with wings only 
one and a half inches long! 

He continued, “I only live in America 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


65 


and the Islands near you. I make a wee 
nest of down, of ferns and moss, about 
the size of a small watch. It will contain 
but two egg’s.” 

He said, “Mother Humming-Bird will 
take care of the young birds,” and added 

“A rather peculiar fellow am I, 

I stay away ’til my young can fly.” 

Old Mother Bun shook her head as 
she thought of the Mother Humming- 
Bird having all the care of the little birds. 

Old Father Bun said, 

“Here is a verse with a question in it, 
Do you never keep still a minute?” 

The Humming-Bird, just to show what 
he could do, perched for an instant on 
the rim of the flower-pot, but he did not 
look nearly as beautiful as he did in mo- 
tion. He began soon to hum again as he 
passed from flower to flower, saying, 

“When the whirr of my wings you’ve 
heard, 

You’ll know you’ve met the smallest 
Bird. 


66 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


I very seldom stop to rest; 

See the brilliant colors on my breast!” 

Sam said, looking closely at him, “I 
see blue, green, gold and red.” 

The Humming-Bird said, 

“There are nearly five hundred of us in 
all; 

We escape notice often because we are 
small.” 

He spoke about the honey and insects 
he found in flowers, and Old Mother Bun 
thought that was so interesting she asked 
him to tell it in a tinkling rhyme, so he 
responded, 

“Honey and insects in the flower 
May keep me busy a quarter of an 
hour.” 

Then he flew away as suddenly as he 
had come. 

That evening Sam said, “I have met 
Tree-Tappers like the Woodpeckers and 
Nuthatch, and several others, and I 
have seen birds that glean from the 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


67 


ground, like the Robin and Bobwhite. 
Blue Jay, and Sparrow, who eat what 
they can get from the ground. 

I have seen Sky-Fliers who eat insects 
on the wing, like the Swift and Swallow. 
What other Birds will I meet?” 

Old Father Bun said, “The Weed- 
Watchers will tell you they eat seeds of 
weeds, and the Sowers will tell you they 
eat fruit and drop seeds on the ground. 
The Watchers-of-the-night will tell you 
they eat mice, and bats, and moles who 
would otherwise do us harm.” 

Sam said, 

“Birds are so useful now to man, 

I will protect them all I can.” 

A wierd voice in the night called. 
“Who? Who? Who?” 


CHAPTER VI. 

A BIRD LETTER AND ALPHABET 

A Bird Letter and Alphabet 
Is something- you’ll not soon forget, 

So come and join us in our fun, 

And visit Old Father and Mother Bun. 

One morning Sam said, as they ling- 
ered round the breakfast table, “Let us 
play a Bird Game.” 

Old Mother- Bun said, “I am told 
If we play games we’ll not grow old.” 

Old Father Bun enjoyed games and he 
said, 

“Sam, I’m very glad you came; 

Tell us how to play the game.” 

They began now to play the game in 
real earnest. 

It was called “Seeing The Birds.” 

Sam said, “I saw this morning a Ro- 
bin.” 


68 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


60 


Old Father Bun repeated what Sam 
had said and added the name of another 
bird, saying, “I.saw this morning a Robin 
and a Bluebird.” Old Mother Bun con- 
tinued, “I saw this morning a Robin and 
a Bluebird and a Wren.” 

Sam said, “I saw this morning a Robin 
and a Bluebird and a Wren and a Fla- 
mingo.” 

So they kept on until one forgot to 
name some Bird already named in the 
list and so went out of the game. 

Then they played a game called “Nam- 
ing The Birds.” 

Old Father Bun began by saying, “I 
am thinking of a Bird whose name be- 
gins with ‘S’.” 

The first one to say “Sparrow,” or 
“Swallow,” or any bird whose name be- 
gins with “S” continues, “I am thinking 
of a Bird whose name begins with “0,” 
(or any letter). 

The first to name a Bird whose name 
begins with “0” continues, and the game 
may be kept up any length of time. 


70 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


While they were playing this game, the 
Postman brought a letter for Old Father 
Bun. 

It was from one of their feathered 
friends. 

It read, 


“Cat-Tail Swamp. 
My Dear Father Bun: — 

Isn’t it fine to be alive in springtime? 
for all the world seems happy. I want to 
introduce myself, for I have heard you 
are kind to Bird Visitors. I am the Red- 
Winged Blackbird. 

I wear a black dress and what re- 
sembles a badge, worn on the shoulder 
of a naval officer, of red and white. 

I can live out-doors all winter, if I have 
proper food and shelter. Unlike many 
Birds, I enjoy singing through the win- 
ter. If I could find plenty of food, I would 
not travel South at all. 

The Bobolink, Starling, Yellow-Head- 
ed Blackbird and Meadow-Lark are 
closely related to me. 

If you will tell me that the Terrible 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


71 



Tabby is shut up, and send an invitation, 
I will try to come and visit you. 


Your sincere friend, 

The Red-Winged Blackbird. 

P. S. 

Do you really know my song? 

I am a Bird nine inches long.” 


72 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


Old Mother Bun said, 

“Once, long ago, his song I heard; 

Let’s read again, now, every word.” 

Old Father Bun had been reading a 
Natural History about Birds and said, 
“Some one says he sings, 


‘O-ka-le, O-ka-le, 

Come to me, come to me”.’ 

Sam sat down and wrote an answer to 
the Red-Winged Blackbird. 

At this very minute a voice called, 

“Is there any one here kind and good? 

I have lost my way in the woods.” 

Old Father Bun went out and saw a 
wee little girl with a great hat covered 
with feathers. She said her name was 
Polly Pewee, and she was afraid, like 
Red Riding Hood, she might meet a wolf. 

Polly Pewee said she was named for 
a Bird, ‘Pewee.” 

Just then a voice called, “Pewee, Pe- 
wee, Pewee.” Polly cried, 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 73 



“The Wood-Pewee, the Wood-Pewee, 
Come and see, in the apple tree.” 

They all found a wee Bird calling- “Pe- 
wee, Pewee.” He said, 

“I’ve no music box, I cannot sing, 

But I catch insects on the wing.” 

“He is one of our fly-catchers,” said 
Sam. 

The Pewee sang, 

“Oh, let me see, oh, let me see, 

My nest I’ll build on the south of the 
tree. 


74 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


The Wood-Pewee is shy to all; 

I am named from my call. 

I’ll build my nest some time in June, 
The early spring is for me too soon; 

To make friends if we think best, 

Some day I may show my nest; 

Grasses, roots, and moss you will dis- 
cover; 

With lichens the outside I cover over; 

To protect from Hawks I may weave a 
top, 

I’ll tell the other secrets, unless I stop.” 

Polly Pewee said, “I love that little 
Bird. It is the only Bird I know by name.” 

Sam told her how he had grown to 
know and love the Birds. Suddenly there 
were heard a merry whistle and song. 

They all went out to look in the maple 
tree but the new songster was very hard 
to discover. 

Over and over that merry whistle burst 
from his throat. At last Sam cried, 
“Why, he is a bright red bird! It is 
strange he could hide so well we did not 
see him before. There is an Olive-brown 
Bird with him!” 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


75 



Old Father Bun said, “The Red Bird, 
the Cardinal!” 

Old Mother Bun said, “The Olive- 
brown Bird is his mate.” 



76 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


The Cardinal said, 

“In vines on your porch I built a nest, 
Very high up, for I thought it best, 

But my eggs were stolen, don’t you see 
How very much that discouraged me?” 

Sam hung his head, and Polly Pewee 
said, “What a shame!” 

“Who stole the eggs?” asked Old Father 
Bun, 

“I cannot imagine it of any one.” 

A voice cried out, “Who? Who? Who?” 

Old Mother Bun said, 

“It is very sad but so it goes; 

I believe the Screech Owl knows.” 

Aside from that remark about the 
eggs, the Cardinal was gay and happy 
and said he had decided to build a nest 
this year in a thicket 

“Why not try the bushes back of our 
house?” asked Old Father Bun. The 
Cardinal nearly agreed to do it. He said 

“If I come to nest, I’ll stay right here; 

I sing fully six months of the year.” 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


77 


He said, “I am often hunted and trap- 
ped, for people like my gay feathers and 
jaunty top-knot, and I am often caged. 
I do not like the thought of living in a 
cage.” So singing, away he flew. 

Old Father Bun said, 

“I love that whistle, I love that call, 

I love the Cardinal best of all.” 

Old Mother Bun said, 

“A bird’s plumage I’d never borrow; 

The Red- Winged Blackbird may come 
tomorrow.” 

Sam said, 

“I’ll throw away my sling-shot for I dis- 
cover 

I am becoming a real Bird Lover.” 

Silently Polly Pewee tore the feathers 
off her hat and then said, 

“I love the Cardinal’s sweet refrain; 

His feathers I’ll never wear again.” 

The Cardinal had sung his message 
so it reached the hearts of the children. 


78 FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 

Sam and Polly made out a Bird Alpha- 
bet and here it is. 

Can you make pictures of all the Birds 
mentioned and color them? 

A BIRD ALPHABET 

A-The great Auk, thirty inches long, 

In the Arctic Regions must belong. 

B-The Bluebirds all delight to sing, 
Every year to greet the spring. 

C-The Catbird leaps from bush to bough; 
We very often hear him “me-ow.” 

D-Doves are flying high above; 

We admire the Mourning Dove. 

E-An Eagle is a stately Bird, 

Very strong, so we have heard. 

F-The Flycatchers that we see 
Nest in the crotch of any tree. 

G-The Grosbeak’s nest is lightly made, 
And he prefers oak trees for shade. 

H-Humming-Bird is our smallest Bird; 
His whirring wings are often heard. 

I-An Ibis in captivity 
Loses bright colors, as you see. 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


79 


J-The Junco is a pleasant Bird; 

All winter his gay call is heard. 

K-The Kinglet’s music box is small, 
But at times we hear his call. 

L-The Lark said, “While on the wing 
Is the time I chose to sing.” 

M-The Meadow-Lark says, “Whoever 
passes, 

I will hide amid the grasses.” 

N-The little Nuthatch in the tree 
Cracks a nut where all can see. 

O-Oriole, while he sings and sings, 

In a hammock-nest now swings. 

P-The Wood-Pewee is very shy; 

He is watchful of the passers-by. 

Q-The Quail greets us and is polite, 

As he calls, “Bob-White, Bob- White.” 

R-The Robin travels for the reason 
He must find food in every season. 
S-The Sparrows, as we all can see, 
Belong to a large family. 

T-In the woodland hush! oh hush! 

Hear the song of the Brown Thrush! 

U-The Urinator or the Loon 
On the lake will call out soon. 


80 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


V-The Vireo, so we’ve heard say, 
Comes back home the first of May. 

W-The Cedar Waxwing now is here, 

But may not visit us next year. 

X-Xantho-ceph-a-lus, so we’ve heard, 

Is Latin for “Yellow-Headed Black- 
Bird.” 

Y-Yellow Hammer comes tap-tapping, 
For his mate we know he is rapping. 

Z-Zamelodia is the “Grosbeak’s” name, 
And we are glad to know he came. 

We hope you will not forget 
To make your own Bird Alphabet! 


CHAPTER VII. 

ORDER OF BIRDS 

If Oriole’s song you ever heard, 

You would want to protect that Bird; 

A wonderful song Oriole sings, 

And in a hammock-nest he swings. 

“Hurry, hurry, hurry,” cried Old 
Mother Bun one morning. “See the Bird 
with bright colors! Hear his merry 
song!” 

Old Father Bun said, 

“Where is the Bird? why bless my soul! 

It is the Baltimore Oriole.” 

Sam and Polly hurried to see the Ori- 
ole. 

He was in the maple tree by his old 
hammock-nest. 

He sang, “I’m back again once more, 

I lived in this same nest before; 

My orange and black you will adore, 

I was named for Lord Baltimore.” 


81 


82 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 



Sure enough, orange and black were 
the colors of the livery of Lord Balti- 
more. 

The Oriole said he sometimes went by 
other names, as “Firebird,” “Hangnest,” 
and “Golden Robin,” but he liked the 
name “Oriole” best. 

His strong nest made of plant fibres 
was ready for him. [He sang, 

“I am more common on the whole 
Than the Orchard Oriole; 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


83 


He likes the orchard, so they say, 

Better than the tree’s high way.” 

With a whistle and whir of wings he 
was gone. 

Polly said, “If I lived in the woods so 
I could recognize a Bird by his song, I 
would be a friend of the Bird forever.” 

Sam said, 

“The Birds protect the farms for man; 
We should protect them all we can.” 

He said if we were without Birds our 
crops would be destroyed by insects. He 
continued, 

“I will build a Bird-House every year, 
And always keep the song-bird near.” 

Polly Pewee said, “I will work a motto 
and hang it in our dining-room at home, 
so I will remember to give the Birds 
crumbs from the table every day.” 

She thought some time before she 
made up the motto. 

This was the motto, 

“Protect me as I protect you; 

Always spare us a crumb or two.” 


84 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


Old Father Bun said wisely, 

“Bird’s egg collections do not make; 

I think you’ll find it a mistake.” 

He continued that he thought a bag 
of marbles would be much more fun to 
play with than the eggs of any Bird. 

Old Mother Bun said, “There are sev- 
enteen Orders of Birds in North America. 
Can’t you tell about a few of them in 
rhyme?” 

Old Father Bun said, 

“If you care to listen to what I say, 
There are Perching Birds, and Birds of 
Prey; 

The Game Birds you’ve heard of before, 
And many Birds who live on Shore; 

The Web-Footed Swimmers, too, 

Some day I’ll introduce to you; 

The Long- Winged Swimmers, Gull and 
Tern, 

These names some day you will learn. 
Name a Tube-Nosed Swimmer; if at a 
loss, 

Think of the beautiful Albatross; 

The Diving Birds we may meet soon, 
Auk, Grebe, Murre, and Loon; 

We all know the faithful Drummers, 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


85 



And Goatsuckers, Swifts, and Hummers; 
I am almost through with the list, not 
quite, 

There is the Scratching Bird, Bob- 
white.” 

They all stopped then and played a 
Bird Game. One described a Bird, and 
the one who guessed it correctly de- 
scribed another, and so on. 


86 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


They were puzzled a long time about 
one Bird that Old Father Bun described. 
He said, “It has a rather heavy white 
beak, a rosy spot on its white breast, a 
black head and tail, and its wings are 
black and white. It has a beautiful song, 
eats insects and potato bugs, seeds, and 
fruits. He is a happy Bird and has a 
mate who wears a dull-colored dress but 
wings lined with gold. These Birds like 
to live together in colonies.” 

No one could guess the name of that 
Bird, and just then a wonderful song 
was heard, a song more musical than the 
Robin’s, and the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak 
appeared. 

“What a beautiful Bird!” cried Polly. 

“What a wonderful singer!” cried Sam. 

The Grosbeak became quite friendly 
as the days passed, and said, 

“I am happy when the days are bright, 
I’ll talk to you if you’re polite; 

I will tell a story without fail,. 

What do you know of a wee Bird’s tail?” 

Both children answered that they 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


87 


knew nothing at all about a Bird’s tail, 
so the Grosbeak continued, 

“Some Birds travel by day or night. 

The tail has something to do with flight, 
The wings will be helpful you’ll agree; 
Short-tailed Birds fly straight; you’ll see 
Long-tailed Birds fly as they please, 
And make many turns with ease; 

Some tree-creeping Birds that upward 
climb 

Use the tail to brace them any time; 

A Bird’s disposition if you please, 

Is sometimes shown in tails like these, 
A sad Flycatcher’s tail droops down, and 
then 

See the up-turned tail of the merry 
Wren! 

Short-winged Land Birds have strong 
feet all, 

But aerial creatures have feet quite 
small; 

The tail and feet, let me repeat, 

The Bird’s requirements must meet.” 

This was such a long story that the 
Brown Creeper climbing on the tree was 
afraid no one would listen to him, but 
he said, 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 



“I’m a Brown Creeper, I’ve come to town; 
I never climb with my head down. 

To hang on the tree I do not fail, 

For I brace myself with my tail.” 

“He is different in that respect from 
the Nuthatch,” said Sam. 

The Brown Creeper said, 

“I am busy from daylight to dark, 
Searching for insects in the dark. 



FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


89 


I’m very busy, and think it best 
To work and seldom take a rest.” 

He said, “I don’t care whether 
You call it ‘Brown Creeper’ or ‘Nut- 
hatch weather.’” 

Polly laughed and said, “Do we have 
‘Robin Weather’ and ‘Nuthatch Weather’ 
and ‘Brown-Creeper Weather’?” 

The Brown Creeper replied, 

“I like to creep on cloudy days, 

I' suppose it is one of my odd ways; 

I’m protected by my coloring you see, 

I look so like the bark on the tree; 

On my brown back observe today 
I have about a dozen. stripes of gray; 

I am really a winter Bird, you see, 

And belong to the Tree-Creeper Fam- 
ily.” 

He was too busy to talk any more. 
Old Father Bun said, 

“There are many wild Birds I know; 

On a picnic, come, let us go.” 

Old Mother Bun suggested, 

“Perhaps a camera we can borrow; 


90 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


Let’s go on a picnic, then, tomorrow.” 

Sam said, “Hurrah! hurrah! I have 
field glasses with me.” 

Polly said, “Hurrah! hurrah! I have a 
camera.” 

So it was decided that the happy com- 
pany should go on a picnic next day. 

Said a wise old Bird in a tree, 

“Such busy people I never knew! 

Who’ll go on a picnic? Who? Who?” 


CHAPTER VIII. 

A WOODLAND PICNIC 

Said Old Mother Bun, “It’s time for fun, 
And when our morning’s work is done, 
On a picnic we will go, 

When the merry spring winds blow.” 

“A picnic!” said Sam. 

“A picnic!” echoed Polly. 

They ran to and fro to help Old Father 
and Mother Bun pack the picnic baskets. 
Of course, there were sandwiches, and 
lemons and sugar, and everything need- 
ed to make a lunch for a picnic party. 

As they started out merrily they heard 
the “tinkle, tinkle, tinkle” of a bell, and 
they had to go back and wait for the 
Terrible Tabby to disappear. 

They started again and Old Father Bun 
said, 

“There is something. I forgot, 

But we will find it like as not.” 


91 


92 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 



Old Father Bun never went anywhere 
without his pipe, so they stopped and 
looked upstairs and down stairs, and 
still his pipe was nowhere to be found. 

Suddenly Sam began to laugh, and 
Polly began to laugh and Old Mother 
Bun laughed, for there was the stem of 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


93 


his pipe peeping out from Old Father 
Bun’s pocket! 

They started again, when a little fellow 
peeped round the current bushes and 
said, 

“I’m an Up-to-Date Bunny, 

My ways are funny, 

A Club I will form 
For Bird reform.” 

All the Bunnies gathered 'round him 
and he produced a banner with the word 
“BIRD” upon it. He said they would form 
a Bird-Club then and there, and ask 
others to join them, and the rules would 
be, 

1. Be kind to all Birds. 

2. Protect all the Birds. 

3. Give Birds food, water and lodging. 

4. Learn the names of twenty birds. 

Sam, who was a regular boy, said, “We 
must soon have meetings, and let no one 
come who does not know the password 
we use to enter. For a long time they 
could not decide on a password, then 
Polly and Sam made up this jingle which 


94 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 



they said all the Bird-Club members 
could learn. 

“Bobolink, Crow and Vireo, 

Ha, ha, ha, ho, ho, ho, 

“Bobolink, Crow and Vireo 
No outsider could ever know!” 

As the Up-to-Date Bunny had nothing 
else to do after he had formed the Bird- 
Club and Old Father Bun had been elect- 



FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


95 


ed President, he was persuaded to join 
the picnic party. 

It was such a fine spring day that other 
people had thought of a picnic, too, and 
they met the Old Woman Who Lived in 
a Shoe and her children and Mother 
Goose herself with many children and 
favorite Birds. 

They formed a happy party, you may 
be sure, and all the members of the Bird- 
Club showed the buttons they were wear- 
ing. Each button had a picture of a Bird 
upon it. 

Mother Goose had a wonderful Crow. 
She said, 

“There was an old Crow 
Sat upon a clod; 

There’s an end of my song, 

That’s very odd.” 

At this very minute the Crow appeared 
and sang a song about a tailor who once 
shot at him and missed his mark and 
shot a poor pig instead. Then he said, 

“There were three crows sat on a stone, 


96 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


Two flew away and then there was one; 

The other crow finding himself alone, 

He flew away and then there were 
none.” 

The Crow continued, “We like to fly 
in flocks.” Then he began to talk in 
jingle again. 

“We will build a nest of grape-vine bark 
by and by, 

And we will build it up about thirty feet 
high; 

We use sticks and mud so good people 
say 

The wind cannot blow our rude nest 
away; 

Our eggs will be bluish-green and brown? 

Caw, caw, caw, we have come to town.” 

He said, “I cry ‘caw’ but never sing; 

How I like to be with you in the spring! 

The Blue Jay and Magpie, as you see, 

Also belong to my own family.” 

He continued, “What if I have no song? 

I am a big bird eighteen inches long, 

And this one thing let me repeat, 

I SAVE MORE GRAIN THAN I EVER 
EAT.” 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


97 


He did admit that he liked to pull up 
corn and take milk from the bottom of 
a young corn plant, but that he did the 
farmer a good turn when he ate cut- 
worms, grasshoppers, mice and catter- 
pillars. He did admit that he sometimes 
ate eggs and even young birds. He was 
a bold fellow but honest. 

As the company passed by a marsh 
they heard a Bobolink call, 

“I am dressed in black, white, brown and 
gray, 

I am very good-looking, so people say; 
My mate in yellowish-brown is found, 
And we build our nest upon the ground. 
When my young are grown, why, do you 
guess, 

I begin to change my dress? 

I dress then like my mate, you know, 
And off and away to the south we go. 
This thing we really think a shame, 
We are often hunted yet for game. 
South of the Amazon we go, 

Many thousand miles, you know.” 

The Mother Goose children and the 
Bunnies and Sam and Polly helped 


98 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


spread the cloth and cook for the picnic. 
They had a wonderful lunch, for Jack 
Horner brought pie, and the Queen of 
Hearts brought tarts and the Bunnies 
shared their good things to eat. 

They told stories, and Mother Goose 
called her Birds around her and let them 
recite verses and eat up the crumbs. 

Mother Goose said, 

“I had two Pigeons bright and gay, 
They flew from me the other day; 
What was the reason they did go? 

I cannot tell, for I do not know!” 

Just then one of her Doves came and 
began chattering to a Wren overhead. 

The Dove says, “Coo, coo, what shall I 
do? 

I can scarcely maintain two.” 

“Pooh! Pooh!” says the Wren, “I have 
got ten, 

And keep them all like gentlemen.” 

The Old Woman Who Lived in the 
Shoe sighed as she thought of her fam- 
ily, remarking, 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


99 



“There w$re two Blackbirds sitting on a 
hill, 

The one named Jack, the other named 
Jill; 

Fly away, Jack, fly away, Jill, 

Come again, Jack, come again, Jill.” 

She added, 

“The Cuckoo’s a fine bird, 

He sings as he flies, 

He brings us good tidings, 

He tells us no lies.” 


100 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


“Who? who? who?” cried a voice over- 
head. 

Polly said, 

“Jenny Owlet, Jenny Owlet, said a merry 
little bird, 

They say you’re wondrous wise, 

But I don’t think you see, though you’re 
looking at me 

With your large, round, shining eyes.” 

Old Mother Bun said, “The Owl does 
not see very well in the day time.” 

The Up-to-Date Bunny had been run- 
ning about all the time and discovered 
some ducks in a pond, and came back 
shouting, 

‘‘Old Mother Duck has hatched a brood 
Of ducklings, small and callow; 

Their little wings are short, their down 
Is mottled gray and yellow.” 

They all went to see the ducklings, 
then started home at last. 


“Ha, ha, ha,” said Old Mother Bun, 
“I think a picnic is lots of fun.” 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


101 


Father Bun remarked sleepily, after 
they got home, 

“I must count twenty birds,” 

But his voice was scarcely heard. 
Father Bun, I do declare, 

Fell asleep in his rocking chair. 

Sam and Polly were still wide awake. 

They made a booklet of brown paper, 
and wrote on the outside in fancy letter, 
“MOTHER GOOSE AND HER BIRDS.” 

They said next day they would copy 
every verse they could find in which 
Mother Goose mentioned a Bird, and 
they would draw and color the birds, too. 

Said Polly and Sam, 

“We’ll use this booklet for a greeting, 
Some day we’ll have a Bird-Club Meet- 
ing. 

Good night, good night, Old Mother 
Bun, 

There’ll be something to interest every 


102 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


Then Polly and Sam turned out the 
light, 

And said to all “Good night, good 
night.” 


CHAPTER IX. 


A BIRD CLUB MEETING 

Said Father Bun, “I send this greeting, 
We will hold a Bird-Club Meeting.” 
Said Father Bunny, brave and true, 
“These Birds I’ll introduce to you.” 

Old Mother Bun said, 

“I’ll give invitation hearty 
To a special Bird-Club Party.” 

Their own children, Pretty Bunny and 
Healthy Bunny, had come back home, and 
joined the Bird-Club at once. 

Old Father Bun said that Polly and 
Sam should help arrange a program, so 
they all set to work. 

The Club was called “THE BIRD-CLUB 
OF CAT-TAIL SWAMP.” 

After much study the program read, 


103 


104 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


1. Introduction. What it means to form 
a Bird-Club. 

2. Song-. “Protect The Birds.” 

3. Attracting The Birds. 

4. Bird Homes. 

5. A Bird Alphabet. 

6. A Bird Game. 

Old Father Bun knew and loved all 
the Birds so he had no trouble writing 
the invitations, and Old Mother Bun 
knew how to attract them by putting 
out crumbs and suet. 

Polly and Sam knew something about 
making houses for them, and they had 
already played several Bird Games and 
learned a Bird Alphabet, so they did not 
have much to prepare but the Bird Song 
for their program. 

Healthy Bunny and Pretty Bunny 
helped them compose words to the tune 
of “Marching Through Georgia.” 

1 . 

“Come and join our Club today, 

We’ll greet you with a song, 

You’ll hear many a roundelay 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


105 


From all our feathered throng; 

We will pause amid our play 
To help good work along, 

Welcome the Birds and befriend them. 

Chorus: 

Hurrah, hurrah, we love the Birds that 
sing, 

Hurrah, hurrah, we greet them every 
spring, 

From the south they’re coming back, 
They all are on the wing, 

Welcome the Birds and befriend them. 

2 . 

This our motto then shall be, 

Make every Bird your friend, 

Form a happy company, 

To them a message send, 

For each Bird we plant a tree, 

And homes to them we lend, 

Welcome the Birds and befriend them.” 

Many children came to the Bird-Club 
Meeting and who do you suppose was the 
first to accept the invitation? A Bird 
who sang, 


106 FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 



“I am as happy as happy can be, 

Here’s a home for me, little Phoebe.’ 


He began to build a nest among the 
vines on the porch and said, 

“I will build a nest large and wide, 

For six little birds will live inside, 

If we do not suffer any loss; 

I build my nest of mud and moss. 
Theobe, Pheobe,’ hear me sing, 

I arrive early in the spring; 

I’m a Flycatcher and Perching Bird, 
You will not forget my cry, once heard; 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 107 



I wag my tail and sing, “Phoebe,” 
I am a sociable fallow, you see.” 


Healthy Bunny said, as he re-filled the 
bird-basin with pure water for the new- 
comer, 

“Even a feathered son or daughter 
Ought to prefer to drink pure water.” 

Pretty Bunny, who never forgot to be 
polite, said, 

“Phoebe, you’re a new-comer, too, 

Little Bird, how do you do?” 

Just then all the members of the Bird 
Club listened. 


108 FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 

Said Father Bun, “Hark, oh hatk! 

Hear the song of the Meadow-Lark!” 

A Meadow-Lark was hiding in the deep 
grass back of the house. He sang, 

“I hope my nest will not be found, 

I have to feed upon the gTOund.” 

He sang, “I travel far and wide, 

But from you all I like to hide; 

When I am flying you’ll not fail 
To see white feathers on my tail; 
Though I like your company, 

I sing way high up in the tree; 

I hope you will enjoy my song, 

I am about ten inches long. 

I protect the farmer from insects and 
weeds, 

And hope you will love me well, indeed.” 

He flew up into the tip-top of a tree 
and sang a most musical song. 

Old Father Bun received many letters 
from Land Birds and Water Birds, and 
some of them sent postals with their 
pictures upon them. 

The Flamingo sent an interesting 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


109 



card with his picture upon it, showing 
his gay costume. He wrote, 

“Though I do not indulge in song, 

I have a foot twelve inches long, 

My legs and neck are long, you’ve heard, 
I am a web-footed Water Bird; 

On Aquatic plants I walk, 

I wish I could drop in and talk, 

I’m a red bird who likes to wade, 

But in captivity I fade; 

I stand about forty inches high, 

And so look down on passers by; 

In Florida I like to roam, 

And in Cuba make my home; 


110 FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 

If you meet me do not be afraid, 

I’m related to Birds who swim and 
wade.” 

All the Club members crowded round 
to see the picture of the Flamingo. 

Healthy Bunny said, “What other 
Birds sent postals?” 

Pretty Bunny said, “We have many 
more cards to read and they all are so 
interesting.” 

Old Father Bun looked proudly at his 
children 

Said Old Father Bun to his son and 
daughter, 

“Some birds like land, some birds like 
water.” 

They next received a postal from Peli- 
can Island, Florida. It said, 

“Dear Friends: — 

We are all in favor of a Bird-Club and 
wish you could visit us. Several thousand 
of us nest here every year. We build our 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


111 



nests on the ground and lay eggs from 
February on. 

We wish you could see our young. 
They are interesting-looking Birds. 

We enjoy fishing, and plunge into the 
water after our fish. 

We are odd-looking Birds and do not 
get our full colors until we are three 
years old. 

Truly we are unusual Birds for we 
boast of a bill a foot long! 


112 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


Your friend, 
PELICAN.” 

Another letter read, 

“Southern California. 

Dear Friends: — 

I am a very large bird with a great 
temper. I am thirteen inches long, black 
and white in plumage, and am named the 
‘Common Puffin’. 

Sometimes I am spoken of as a Sea 
Parrot. 

Please do not disturb me or I will be- 
come angry. 

I hope you will admire my picture 
though I am so odd-looking. 

Your friend, 

Common Puffin.” 
The next letter read, 

“Puget Sound. 

Dear Friends: — 

We are a flock of Gulls, and at present 
are resting on an ocean steamer. We 




Old Father Bunny Did Mot Know Whether the 
Wise Old Owl Was Fooling or Mot 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 113 


fly long distances and eat fish. 

We are happy to hear that you mean 
to protect all Birds. 

Your friends, 

The Wild Gulls.” 

There were so many other cards and 
letters the Bunnies could not read them 
all. 

They read the names, though, of many 
Land and Water Birds. They received 
cards from the Crane Family, the Heron 
Family, the Pheasant Family, the Man- 
o’War Hawk and many others. 

Old Father Bun said, 

“My advice before you’ve heard, 

But I’d learn the Order of every Bird; 
I’d tell it in rhyme, and tell it in song, 
To what Order does every Bird belong.” 

Old Mother Bun said, 

“I’d learn the song of every bird, 

So I could tell its name when heard.” 


Sam said, 


114 FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 

“I’ll keep a chart you understand, 

With Birds of the Water and Birds of 
the Land.” 

Polly said, 

“Names of Birds and names of trees, 

I will learn simple things like these.” 

Healthy Bunny and Pretty Bunny 
said, 

“We are very glad that spring has come, 
We are so happy to be home; 

With all the Birds and bees and flowers, 
We are happy in this world of ours.” 

A Bird sang in the distance, 

“Protect the Birds and love them, too, 

I always sing, ‘Cuckoo, Cuckoo’.” 

A voice answered, 

“Who? Who? I quite agree with you, 
Though I eat bats and a few Sparrows, 
too; 

I will send a little greeting 
To your next Bird-Club meeting.” 

Old Father Bun did not know whether 
the Wise Old Owl was fooling or not. 


CHAPTER X. 

A BIRD-CLUB PLAY 

The Wise Old Owl said, “Any day 
We can give a Bird-Club Play; 
Wherever we go, whatever we do, 

I’ll introduce myself to you.” 

He began at once to tell a true story. 
He said that once upon a time he and 
his mate built a nest in a tall maple tree 
in Rountree Place, and one day his chil- 
dren, seven little Screech Owl, began to 

fly. 

The Owls flew down to a locust tree 
and one, more full of adventure than 
the rest, flew down to a bird stand and 
stood beside the Bird-basin. 

This little Owl was named “Columbus” 
because he was always going a little 
further than the others, trying to dis- 
cover something new. 

By and by a little girl came out of the 


115 


116 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 



house near and actually offered Colum- 
bus a pan-cake, which he took, and it 
tasted very good. 


The Wise Old Screech Owl, who told 
this story, continued, “I know I have an 
unpleasant voice, but I do not have to 
answer to such a queer name as the 
Barn Owl, who is also called ‘Monkey- 
Faced.’ 

He screeched loudly and remarked, 

“I really don’t care what you say, 

I always eat my entire prey!” 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 117 


“Not feathers too?” said Old Father 
Bun. 

“Not hair, bones and all?” said Old 
Mother Bun. 

The Wise Owl nodded his head and 
continued, 

“If you are troubled with rats and mice, 
I will rid you of them in a trice.” 

He said, “I’ve something else to say, 

I work all night and rest all day. 

I stole the Cardinal’s eggs, I’m sorry 
to say, 

But I’m not much worse than Mother 
Blue Jay.” 

He went on and told them that he had 
two sets of eye-lids because he sometimes 
wanted to use one set when the light 
hurt him, and closed both sets when he 
wanted to sleep. 

He began to talk in rhyme again, which 
pleased the Bunnies, 

“Two sets of eye-lids you will see, 

If you will closely look at me; 

The second lids I close in sleep, 

And into a hollow tree I creep; 


118 FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


When I hear the slightest sound, 

My entire head I turn around; 

My feathers help me, so they say, 

To quietly approach my prey; 

My feathery ear tufts are one inch long. 
I whistle and call, but have no song.” 

Old Mother Bun said, “Did you really 
steal the eggs of the beautiful Cardinal?” 

The Wise Old Owl said, 

“I did steal two eggs, I’m sorry to say, 
But one was stolen by Mother Blue 
Jay.” 

Old Father Bun was working away. 

He made a real little theatre of paste- 
board. 

He folded the board in the middle and 
opened it like a book. He drew on it 
pictures of trees so his little theatre 
represented the woods. 

Pretty Bunny and Healthy Bunny 
wrote the posters to advertise the play. 

A Play in Two Acts at Bird Centre. 

Admission One Penny. 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


119 


Old Father Bun made the Play Tickets 
which said, 

A Penny Play. 

Admit One. 

Old Mother Bun made the Programs 
and they all worked at the story to be 
read while the Play was acted, and they 
all made pictures of Birds and the other 
characters for the Play, and they put 
standards on their characters so they 
would stand when placed in the Theatre. 

Old Mother Bun set up the characters 
while Old Father Bun read the follow- 
ing Play: 

A PENNY PLAY FOR ARBOR DAY. 
Scene 1. In The Woods. 

The Red-Headed Woodpecker has 
come and says that spring is here. He 
calls out, 

“I will tell you, if you don’t mind, 

I’ve two toes in front and two behind.” 

The Owl cries, “Who? who? who?” and 
says, in a sing-song kind of way, 

“The Wise Owl says, whatever I do, 

I always cry, ‘Tu-whft, tu-who.’ ” 


120 FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 



Now, the Red-Headed Woodpecker is 
so gay with his red cap that he is readily 
seen and the Owl makes such a noise 
that the Terrible Tabby comes slyly 
creeping round one of the trees. If it 
was not for the bright eyes of Robin Red- 
Breast, they might not know that an 
enemy is approaching. 


Robin Red-Breast cries, 




FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


121 


“I sing, I sing, be careful, dear; 

An enemy is drawing near.” 

“Who? who? who?” shouts the Owl. He 
feels safe in the branches of the tall tree, 
the Red-Head goes into a hole in the 
tree and the Terrible Tabby creeps away. 

A whole flock of English Sparrows come 
twittering along and Robin Red-Breast 
cries, 

“A Bird’s life is not all joy; 

Look out for the Sling-Shot Boy.” 

Sure enough, see! a Boy has entered 
the woods with a sling shot. He comes 
nearer and nearer every minute. Will he 
shoot the birds? 

See! a girl is coming down the opposite 
path. She is gayly dressed and has a hat 
completely covered with feathers. 

The Boy meets the girl and says, 
“How do you do, Miss Fuss-and-Feath- 
ers?” 


The Girl says, “How do you do, Sling- 
Shot Boy?” 

The Birds feel sad to think how many 


122 FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 

of their companions have been killed to 
make the covering for the Girl’s hat. 

Scene 2. In the Woods. 

The Spirit of the Times comes into the 
woods. 

Every leaf rustles a welcome. 

Every Bird whistles and sings. 

Every breeze carries the good news 
that the Spirit of the Times will befriend 
the Birds. 

She whispers to the Boy, “Protect the 
Birds, form a club to study their haunts 
and habits, learn their secrets and soon 
you will love them. Let your motto be, 
‘Protect Birds from all enemies,’ so they 
can say, ‘A thoughtful friend threw us 
some crumbs, a kind person nailed up 
some suet. A skillful hand made us a 
house’.” 

To the Girl the Spirit of the Times 
speaks gently, “When you have put up 
your first Bird-House for a feathered 
friend, you will not want to use feathers 
for a decoration.” 

The Spirit of the Times speaks to the 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 123 


Terrible Tabby with little effect, so she 
has a bell placed on his neck. 

The Boy and Girl are glad to listen and 
learn. 

Back into the woods come the Birds 
and sing in happy chorus. The Boy and 
Girl say, 

“We will protect the Birds, 

This we sing and say, 

We will protect the Birds 
On happy Arbor Day; 

On Arbor Day and every day, 

We’ll love them as we should, 

And so we give our little play 
Of Birds and merry wood.” 

The Spirit Of The Times says, 

“It’s love that makes the world go round, 
No matter what we say; 

It’s love that makes the world go round 
On happy Arbor Day.” 

Only the Terrible Tabby still needs 
watching, and his little bell goes, “tinkle, 
tinkle, tinkle.” 

“Play it again,” cried Polly. 

“Play it again,” cried Sam. 

Pretty Bunny and Healthy Bunny 


124 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


clapped their paws and said, “What if 
the Terrible Tabby had not worn a bell? 
What if Robin Red-Breast had not had 
sharp eyes?” 

At this very minute a great whirring 
of wings was heard and the Birds came 
one and all to give the Bunnies a sur- 
prise party. 

Robin Red-Breast was so happy his 
little throat was fairly swelling with his 
merry song, and when a few drops of 
rain fell he said, 

“Hear my merry, glad refrain, 

I am singing in the rain.” 

The shower was soon over and the 
Wise Old Owl said, “Robin, you sing 
several songs, but not quite as many as 
the Catbird.” Even then, the Catbird 
was imitating him! 

The Blue Jay came scolding, as usual. 

The Nuthatch and Junco started down 
the tree, for the shower was over. The 
Swallows and Sparrows and Mourning- 
Dove came, too, and the Cedar Waxwing 
stopped for a minute. 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 


125 



The Sparrows were amused to see that 
most of the company enjoyed a bath in 
the Bird Basin, for they only took dust 
baths. 

The Wren, and Bluebird, and Hum- 
ming- Bird added to the merriment. The 
Blackbird, Pewee, and Grosbeak helped 
make up the party and the Brown Creep- 
er was almost late. 


126 FATHER »UNNY AND HIS BIRDS 

The Crow added to the excitement by 
whispering to the Wise Old Owl who 
shouted out the secret, 

“We have a present for Old Mother Bun; 
We have contributed to it, every one.” 

It was Old Mother Bun’s birthday, and 
the jolly little songsters had brought her 
a canary in a cage. 

As the canary had been born in a 
cage it was perfectly contented there. 

Old Mother Bun said, 

“I will love the canary gay, 

And feed and water him every day, 
And I know that I shall laugh 
To see him in his tiny bath.” 

The Cardinal said, “It is very different 
to cage a wild bird like me. I am glad to 
be free, but the poor little canary would 
not know what to do if he were let out 
of his cage and he would be afraid even 
of wild canaries, so he is contented in 
his cage.” 

After a while the Feathered Friends 
bade the Bunnies good bye, and Polly 
and Sam said, 


FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 127 


“To love and protect all Birds we’ll try; 
Father and Mother Bun, good bye.” 

Pretty Bunny and Healthy Bunny 
went to bed. 

Old Father Bun said, 

“We’ll write a letter ’ere set of sun, 
And invite the song birds, every one; 
We’ll give invitation hearty 
To an out-door garden party.” 

Old Mother Bun had planted a wonder- 
ful garden. She said, 

“I find friends the wide world over; 

I am truly a great Bird Lover.” 

The Up-to-Date Bunny peeped in the 
window and looked at the canary, say- 
ing, 

“How wonderful that he, too, can sing, 
And just be glad of everything; 

Such a beautiful song from a little 
throat! 

There is melody in every note.” 

Old Father and Mother Bun were 
sleepy. 


128 FATHER BUNNY AND HIS BIRDS 

Their heads went nid-nid nodding. 

The Up-to-Date Bunny called to the 
Sandman passing by, 

“Birds again! Birds again! 

In the sunlight, in the rain, 

A flash of wings, a breast that gleams 
Bring us all some happy dreams!” 

“We’ll hold this motto high above, 

We’ll all protect the Birds we love.” 

The Sandman took a dream out of his 
sack and said, waving a flag, 

He went on his way and Old Father 
and Mother Bun had a wonderful dream 
of Birdland, 











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